for Serving Veterans

National Alliance to End HomelessnessJuly 13, 2010

Presented by: James M. Yates

Funded by the U.S. Department of

Veterans Affairs

Project Number: 09-602-MA

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Topics to Discuss

• Basic historical outline

• Current VA initiatives/ resources

• Veteran Prevention Model

3 Development of CoCs in 1990s brought about focus on permanent housing as a critical component to the homeless solution

Current service paradigm is shifting to prevention-oriented services as the most promising way to reduce homelessness and rapid re-housing as a model intervention for those already homeless

Best practices and evidence-based models inform current program approaches

Research to guide the field – little to none currently but new initiatives are emerging

Model networks: Washington (DC), Columbus (OH)

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SHELTER

PreventionEmployment Assistance

Rapid Re-housing

Housing & Support Services

MH/SA Services

Current CoC ModelCurrent CoC Model Emerging CoC ModelEmerging CoC Model

HOUSING STABILIZATION

Prevention

Employment Assistance

Shelter

Support ServicesMH/SA Services

Turning the Continuum of Care Inside – Out?

5 VA’s philosophy of “no wrong door” means that all veterans seeking to prevent or get out of homelessness must have easy access to programs and services. Any door a veteran comes to – at a Medical Center, a Regional Office, or a Community Organization – must offer them assistance

Built upon 6 strategic pillars: Outreach/Education Treatment Prevention Housing/Supportive Services Income/Employment/Benefits Community Partnerships

6 Increase the number and variety of housing options including permanent, transitional, contracted, community-operated, and VA-operated

Provide more supportive services through partnerships to prevent homelessness, improve employability, and increase independent living for veterans

Improve access to VA and community based mental health, substance abuse, and support services

7Types Universal Prevention

Public information regarding the availability of resources/services

Medical Treatment Mental Health Treatment Substance Use treatment Economic Benefits

Targeted Prevention Supportive Services for Low Income Families Homelessness Prevention Pilot (HUD-VA) Relapse prevention services Justice Involved Veterans 7

8 Model of screening called a Housing Status Assessment: general information on housing status

indicators of homelessness

risk factors often associated with homelessness

VA Medical Centers are exploring use of a housing status assessment processAre some veterans seeking VA medical

services also at risk of homelessness?Do VA Medical Center staff know the right

questions to ask and where to refer?

9VA Med Center staff will begin to assess:

If an applicant has safe housing tonight and in the near future;

How stable an applicant’s housing is based on actual or perceived risks (e.g., receipt of an eviction notice, family conflict, etc.);

What assistance, if any, is needed to assure safe, stable housing; and,

The most appropriate response by a VA Med Center intake worker as it relates to an applicant’s housing status and stability.

10FY 2010 Programs for Justice-Involved Veterans

Transitional planning for veterans discharging from the justice system

Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists at each VA medical center Outreach and education for law enforcement Linkage to VA services for veterans in treatment courts, including

Veterans Courts FY 09: 4,500 aided by 39 VHA Re-entry Specialists FY 10: 7,500 veterans served (HCRV and VJO); staffing

enhancements for VJO

Supportive Services for Low-Income Veteran Families

Grants to provide case management and supportive services for low-income veteran families

Services include financial assistance to prevent veterans falling into homelessness

FY 09: Program development FY 10: Award Grants; 5,000 veterans served

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11FY 2010 HUD-VA Prevention Pilot

Collaboration with HUD to provide housing and intensive case management

OEF/OIF focus Targeting areas with large numbers of returning veterans FY 09: Program planning FY 10: 200-250 veterans and families served

Health Care for Homeless Veterans Contract Residential Care

An immediate resource at each VA medical center to realize the commitment to “no wrong door”

Homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing FY 09: 1,600-2,000 veterans expected to be served FY 10: 4,800 veterans served

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12Support Services for Low-Income Veteran FamiliesNew VA program funded at $50 million in FY11

Will provide support services to low-income Veteran families in or

transitioning to permanent housing

Grants made to non-profits for provision of a range of supportive services

designed to promote housing stability

Grantees will provide eligible Veteran families with outreach, case

management, and assistance in obtaining VA & other benefits

Draft rules released in May 2010 -

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-10372.pdf

NOFA expected in Fall of 2010

For more information on this new program

http://www1.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=50

13 Key Design Elements… Use of 105 VASH Vouchers from the DC VA Medical

Center Case management provided to the veterans

through the DC Mental Health Department DC Department of Human Health Service entered into

a MOA with the DC Medical Center for providing the services to the veterans

Fast Track of vouchers being issued and units inspected through the DC Housing Authority

Use of the Vulnerability Index to identify veterans for the program

Use of HPRP funds for Security deposits Utility deposits Moving costs

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Used to rapidly re-house veterans Must be chronically homeless Must have income Must live in DC city limits Must be a veteran and enrolled in the DC VA Medical Center

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Effectiveness Time from initial referral to veteran placed into housing is

approximately 62 days Referral to assessment: 11 days Assessment to issuing of the voucher: 18 days Enrollment to locating housing: 50 days Locating housing to issuing HPRP funds: 53 days

Out of the 105 vouchers the city has secured 95 veterans have been placed into housing. 97% of the veterans in the program have been able retained

their housing with an average of $750 HPRP assistance. Three vouchers were returned due to the veteran obtaining

employment at income levels that did not require them to need to the VASH Voucher any longer.

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James M. YatesTechnical Assistance Collaborative

jyates@tacinc.org617-266-5657 x121